A Frailty-specific Prehabilitation Program for Mild to Moderately Frail Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgeries/Procedures
A Frailty-specific Prehabilitation Program for Mild to Moderately Frail Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgeries: A Randomized Sham-controlled Trial
The University of Hong Kong
144 participants
Jun 4, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the frailty-specific prehabilitation program on functional capacity, frailty, cardiac-specific functional status, serum albumin level, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level, HRQoL, psychological outcomes, major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCEs), and hospital readmission rates in cardiac patients. This study tests a home-based prehabilitation program for frail older adults waiting 5+ weeks for heart surgery. Participants, aged 65+ with mild-to-moderate frailty, receive structured preoperative education, protein-rich nutrition advice, relaxation techniques for stress, and exercise training 3 times weekly via home visits, video calls, and self-practice. A control group gets sham light stretching plus usual care.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- Chinese adult patients scheduled for elective CABG, valve repair/replacement, or combined CABG and valve repair/replacement;
- Have mild-to-moderate frailty at the time of recruitment, indicated by a Clinical Frailty Scale score of 4 to 6;
- Have at least 5 weeks of procedural waiting time;
- Are physically fit for prehabilitation as assessed by the surgeon's/cardiologist's using a risk assessment checklist;
- Live with their family;
- Are able to use an electronic device with internet access (patient/family).
Exclusion Criteria1
- Patients with impaired cognition (Abbreviated Mental Test score ≤ 6) or communication, or with physical limitations affecting their ability to exercise
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Interventions
A comprehensive prerehabilitation program which includes 4 components: 1) structured preoperative education; 2) nutritional optimization; 3) stress management; and 4) exercise training or usual care, respectively. The prehabilitation will last for at least 4 weeks, continuing throughout the waiting period. From Week 5 until the day of the surgery, the coach will offer support to encourage the participants to maintain self-practice by prescribing exercises that have previously been learned.
A sham stretching exercise intervention to neutralize the attention effects given by the intervener. The exercise protocol consists of light-intensity stretching exercise involving the upper and lower body, such as neck stretch, shoulder stretch, calf stretch and sited hamstring stretch. The frequency and delivery format will be the same as the prehabilitation for the intervention group, but the duration is shortened to 30-minute per session
Locations(1)
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NCT07824700